Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-11
The CaNtOI Guides.

HOW THE SYSTEM OF AUTHORIZING GUIDES CAME TO
BE INSTITUTED-FAMILIARITY WITH VISITORS.
AS stated in Saturdays STAR, the Capitol police
board has decided To make permanent the suspen-
sion OF the two authorized guides who were ac-
cused or having kissed two young girls In the Cap
ltoL. There Is no law authorizing the appointment
OF Capitol guides and the system OF permitting
persons to so act was adopted as an expedient by
the board. 1t had become customary for members
or Congress TO summon Capitol policemen to guide
parties through the Capitol This custom was
police, as 1t kept the members OF the force from
their legitimate duties. More than tnat
cuse was that he had been sent sent on n,' some
errand by member OF Congress- The board is
sued peremptory order against members of the
superior officers Members OF Congress insisted
that there ought to be some persons designateftO
act as guides for the public, and the board asked
for an appropriation to organize and maintain such
force. That request was not granted. Meantime
The number OF visitors to the Capitol continued to
Increase and the demand for guides grew more
pressing. To meet the pressure the board de-
cided TO select corps OF suitable men and license
guides TO be paid by the persons employing them.
This system has been kept up the board using its
pest IN the seiecton OF persons as guides
Under ruling OF the board the guides are re-
quired TO report and be subordinate to the captain
OF the police but, beyond the power of dismissal.
one OF the members OF the board said to a STAR
reporter: "There are other evidences that some of
the guides have been entirely TOO familiar with
persons employing them. 1t is not the place OF
the guide to ask the visitor where he or she lives
their names &c. The duty OF the guide Is to con-
line himself TO exhibiting and explaining the feat
ures OF interest in the Capitol and we require
that guides shall be cautious, even deferential to
visitors. But you have no idea how many apply
for the place OF Capitol guide The applicants are
from all sections OF the country, and in numbers
that are surprising" There Will not be any formal
decision OF the board progulmated in the case of
the two guides suspended nor will any be made of
record. The removal of the guides will simply
stand, unless it may be agreed to accept Popham'S
resignation. AS Boden took the young ladies III
Charge to show them through the building, and as
he introduced" Popham, ii is thought that the
latter may be the less culpable OF the two.
Needless Expense to the District.
WITNESSES IN SUNDAY LIQUOR CASES WHO KNOW
NOTHING OF VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW.
The fact that any person who enters a saloon
or grocery on Sunday is likely to be called upon
by the police TO appear witness was recently
demonstrated In the Police Court in two cases.
Some days ago Policeman Kaucher, OF the first
precinct, had Mr.. Gebner, the saloonkeeper on 9TH
street. before the court for alleged violation OF the
sunday law. Eight witnesses were called by the
prosecution. None OF them had been furnished
any thing TO drink. One OF the witnesses had
called TO see a young lady in the house, another
had not been inside the door, and two others had
been In getting their supper, as they took their
meals In GeDner'S dining saloon. The case was
dismissed. The fees due the witnesses amounted
to $40.
To-day Edward Murphy, the grocer on 18th
street. between and streets, was charged by
Officer Bailey with selling liquor on sunday. Mr..
John III. Smythe, ex-miniSter to Liberia, appeared
as witness. He had been seen coming out OF the
store and had been summoned He testified that
sunday morning his clay pipe was accidentally
broken, and he went into Mr.. Murphy'S store for
new one. He did not even ask for anything to
drink Other witnesses were called, who testified
TO purchasing groceries, but not liquors. The
was dismissed. The witness fees amount in this
case to ST.